Facebook abuzz with NCP leaders’ demand for ‘Shapla’ poll symbol

The EC has asked the party to choose its symbol from the predetermined list by Sunday

The National Citizen Party leaders took to social media to press their demand for the “Shapla”, or water lily, symbol after the Election Commission set a deadline for the party to select a poll logo from its prescribed list.

On Tuesday, NCP Joint Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa posted on Facebook: “The NCP symbol is Shapla. Shapla must be given.”

Convenor Nahid Islam shared the post on his Facebook page, amplifying the demand.

At the same time, NCP Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah wrote on Facebook: “The NCP will get Shapla.”

Ahead of the general election, the EC has decided to grant registration to two parties, including the NCP, and is in the process of issuing notices with their allocated symbols.

The EC sent a letter giving the NCP until Oct 7 to select a symbol from a list of 50. The party, however, did not make a selection within the stipulated time and later amended the rule to demand the Shapla symbol specifically.

On Tuesday, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said: “The Election Commission does not consider it necessary to include Shapla in the list. The party has until Oct 19 to choose a symbol from the list.

“If no choice is communicated by then, the EC will assign a symbol using its own procedure.”

He said, although the NCP insists on Shapla, the symbol is not in the approved list, so it cannot be allocated.

“The decision of the EC remains unchanged,” he added.

Following the briefing, NCP leaders continued posting on Facebook demanding the Shapla symbol.

Musa wrote, “This is not just about the Shapla symbol. It is about the EC demonstrating transparency, accountability, and capability. Previously, the chief election commissioner said he would not explain to the public why the NCP cannot have Shapla.”

He questioned whether denying Shapla reflects the EC’s arbitrary will.

“As the Secretary said today, the essence is not a legal barrier. Refusal depends on the EC’s discretion. Since the July Uprising, no institution can operate without transparency and accountability to the people.

“No institution can act illegally, discriminatorily, or arbitrarily. The EC must clarify whether it answers to the public or to a political party or armed entity. The people’s symbol is Shapla. The NCP’s symbol is Shapla. Shapla must be given.”